Guardiola hails Napoli’s ‘perfect’ style
City manager insists his praise is not mind games Sterling: Arsenal deal would never happen
Pep Guardiola is relishing the chance to test his in-form Manchester City against Napoli after describing the Italian league leaders as one of the best teams in Europe.
Guardiola was gushing in his praise of the style of football deployed by Maurizio Sarri’s side, who have won eight games in a row in Serie A ahead of tonight’s clash.
In many respects, Napoli are dominating Italian football in the same swashbuckling style as City have crushed their English rivals and Guardiola knows their meeting could be the stiffest challenge yet.
“They do many, many things and the things they do they do perfectly,” said Guardiola. “It is not a team that is going to wait. They press high and do some amazing build-up. They are one of the best teams in Europe.
“In Italy, to win eight games in a row, and in Rome against Roma. I know, I heard from [the] president of Napoli, that my words [of praise] are just to distract Napoli, but it is just what I believe. I cannot say they are the toughest test so far, because Liverpool and Chelsea were tough as well. I am a spectator as well. I like to watch football and I like to watch Napoli. I love many, many things about a Sarri team. It is fascinating to have a challenge to try to beat them. Hopefully we can.”
City will have to be aware of Napoli’s attacking threat, but may have to fight fire with fire. That will increase the pressure on players such as Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling. Although De Bruyne has dominated the City landscape, Sterling has also been important and the England international has spoken for the first time about his response to suggestions he could have left for Arsenal in the summer.
Sterling was brutal in his response, claiming he had not given the move more than a second’s thought because he was sure Guardiola had no interest in selling him.
Asked whether he had spoken to Guardiola since Arsenal expressed their interest, Sterling replied: “I didn’t need to because I already spoke to him in the summer and we had a positive talk. I didn’t have any negative thoughts. I’m here for the long term, I signed for five years.”